Clock state notification method and communication device

Abstract

The invention discloses a clock state notification method and a communication device. In the method, an RAN broadcasts first indication information and indicates the RAN to send second indication information when clock synchronization state information changes, and the second indication information indicates that the clock state information of the RAN changes; when the clock synchronization state information changes, the RAN broadcasts second indication information; and the UE determines that the clock synchronization state information of the RAN changes according to the second indication information. According to the method, the UE in the RRC non-connection state can determine that the RAN has the capability of sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes according to the first indication information, so that when the UE does not receive the second indication information, the UE can determine that the current clock synchronization state information of the RAN does not change, and a non-RAN does not have the capability; therefore, the UE does not need to enter an RRC connection state to acquire the clock synchronization state information or acquire the clock synchronization state information in other modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of wireless communications, and in particular, to a clock status notification method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] 3GPP has made it clear that it needs to support the clock elasticity requirements of 5G. In order to achieve the clock elasticity requirements, the user equipment (UE) and the fifth generation mobile communication system core network (5GC) need to understand the clock synchronization status information of the fifth generation mobile communication system (5GS), such as the clock synchronization status information changes of the base station and user plane function (UPF).

[0003] If the UE wants to determine whether the clock synchronization status information of the base station has changed, in one possible implementation method, the UE needs to subscribe to the clock synchronization service, that is, the UE's contract information contains parameters about the clock quality requirements or the third-party AF requests the clock synchronization service for the UE. There are parameters about the clock quality requirements. At this time, the base station sends the clock synchronization status information to the UE. For UEs in the radio resource control (RRC) connected state, the base station can notify the UE through RRC signaling (unicast mode). For UEs in the RRC inactive state (RRC inactive) or idle state (idle), the base station can broadcast the notification to the UE through the system information block (SIB).

[0004] If the clock status information of the base station changes, some base stations can notify the UE that their clock status information has changed, but some base stations do not support notifying the UE that their clock status information has changed. Therefore, the UE cannot determine the clock status of the base station when it does not receive the notification. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a clock status notification method and a communication device, which are used to solve the problem that when a terminal device does not receive a notification that the clock synchronization status information of a wireless access network device has changed, it is impossible to determine whether the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device has not changed, or the wireless access network device does not have the ability to broadcast indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a clock status notification method, which is applied to a terminal device in an RRC inactive state and / or a terminal device in an RRC idle state, and the method includes: the terminal device receives first indication information broadcast by a first wireless access network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the first wireless access network device to send second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, the second indication information being used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device changes; when the terminal device receives the second indication information, the terminal device determines that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device has changed.

[0007] In the above embodiment, the wireless access network device that supports notifying the terminal device when the clock synchronization status information changes can broadcast the first indication information to indicate that it supports broadcasting the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes; this enables the UE to determine whether the wireless access network device will notify when the clock synchronization status information changes based on the first indication information, especially for the terminal device in the RRC inactive state and / or the terminal device in the RRC idle state, it can determine that the current clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device has not changed based on the received first indication information when the second indication information is not received, rather than the wireless access network device does not have the ability to broadcast the indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and there is no need to enter the RRC connected state to obtain the clock synchronization status information or obtain the clock synchronization status information by other means.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second terminal device receives third indication information broadcast by the second wireless access network device, and the third indication information is used to instruct the second wireless access network device not to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. Some wireless access network devices have the ability to send indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and some wireless access network devices may not have the ability to send indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. For wireless access network devices that do not have this ability, the third indication information may also be used to notify the terminal device that it does not support this ability, so that the terminal device can obtain whether the clock synchronization information of the wireless access network device has changed through other means.

[0009] In a possible implementation, after the second terminal device receives the third indication information broadcast by the second radio access network device, the method further includes: the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the second radio access network device; and the second terminal device obtains the clock quality information provided by the second radio access network device through the RRC connection. If the second terminal device receives the third indication information sent by the second radio access network device, it can establish an RRC connection with the second radio access network device, thereby obtaining the clock quality information through the RRC connection, thereby avoiding the situation where the second terminal device cannot timely obtain the change of the clock synchronization status information of the second radio access network device because the second radio access network device does not have the ability to notify the terminal device when the clock synchronization status information changes.

[0010] In a possible implementation, after the terminal device determines that the clock synchronization status information of the first radio access network device has changed, the method further includes: the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the first radio access network device; and the terminal device obtains the clock quality information provided by the first radio access network device through the RRC connection. When the terminal device determines that the clock synchronization status information of the first radio access network device has changed according to the second indication information, an RRC connection can be established with the first radio access network device, thereby obtaining the clock quality information through the RRC connection, and then determining whether to continue to obtain the clock synchronization service through the first radio access network device, or to obtain the clock synchronization service through other transmissions.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the clock quality information includes: a clock quality parameter, or fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information provided by the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the terminal device. The first wireless access network device may send its own clock quality parameter to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine whether the terminal device's requirements for the clock synchronization status can be met according to the clock quality parameter; or the first wireless access network device may also determine whether its own changed clock synchronization status information meets the requirements of the terminal device, and notify the terminal device of the determined result.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the second indication information is specifically used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the first radio access network device changes from satisfying a preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, or that the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device changes from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition. The clock synchronization state information of the first radio access network device changes, including from satisfying the preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, and from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition, so the second indication information sent by the first radio access network device can be used to indicate the occurrence of these two situations.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receives fifth indication information broadcast by the wireless access network device, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the first wireless access network device has not changed. In this implementation, the wireless access network device may send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information has changed, and send the fifth indication information when the clock synchronization state information has not changed, so that the terminal device can promptly identify the current clock synchronization state of the first wireless access network device.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not change, including: when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not change; or, when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes but the changed clock synchronization status information still satisfies a preset condition; or, when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes and the changed clock synchronization status information still does not meet the preset condition, broadcasting a third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device has no obvious change.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a system information block SIB broadcast by the radio access network device; or, the first indication information is carried in non-access stratum NAS information from a mobility and accessibility management network element.

[0016] In a second aspect, a clock status notification method is applied to a terminal device in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and / or a terminal device in an RRC idle state, the method comprising: the terminal device receives a first indication message sent by a mobile and access management network element; the first indication message is used by the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with a radio access network device when receiving the second indication message, and obtain the clock quality information provided by the second radio access network device through the RRC connection, the second indication message is used to instruct the radio access network device not to send a third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the third indication message is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the radio access network device changes; or, the first indication message is used to indicate information of the radio access network device, and the information of the radio access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the radio access network sends the second indication message, whether the radio access network sends the third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the radio access network device changes.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the terminal device receives a fourth indication information sent by the mobility and access management network element, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the current clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the terminal device.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the current clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device specifically indicates that: the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not satisfy a preset condition after a change, or that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device satisfies a preset condition after a change.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the clock quality information includes: a clock quality parameter, or fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information provided by the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the terminal device.

[0020] In a third aspect, a clock status notification method is provided, the method comprising: a wireless access network device broadcasts first indication information, the first indication information being used to instruct the wireless access network device to send second indication information when clock synchronization status information changes, the second indication information being used to indicate that the clock status information of the wireless access network device changes; when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes, broadcasting the second indication information.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the second indication information is specifically used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes from satisfying a preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, or that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the radio access network device broadcasting third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device has not changed.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not change, including: when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not change; or, when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes but the changed clock synchronization status information still meets the preset conditions; or, when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes and the changed clock synchronization status information still does not meet the preset conditions.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a system information block SIB broadcast by the radio access network device.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, a clock status notification method is provided, the method comprising: a mobile and access management network element sends a first indication message to a terminal device; the first indication message is used to instruct the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with a wireless access network device when receiving a second indication message, and the second indication message is used to instruct the wireless access network device not to send a third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the third indication message is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes; or, the first indication message is used to indicate information of the wireless access network device, and the information of the wireless access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the wireless access network sends the second indication message, whether the wireless access network sends the third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, before the mobility and accessibility management network element sends the first indication information to the terminal device, the method further includes: the mobility and accessibility management network element receiving a clock synchronization service requirement subscribed by the terminal device.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the mobility and accessibility management network element receiving information about the radio access network device.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the mobility and accessibility management network element receives the clock synchronization service requirement of the terminal device, including: the mobility and accessibility management network element receives the clock synchronization service requirement of the terminal device from a unified data management network element or from an application function network element.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes, the AMF sends a fourth indication information to the terminal device, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the terminal device.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device is specifically used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not meet a preset condition after the change, or that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device meets a preset condition after the change.

[0031] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a clock status notification method, the method comprising: a wireless access network device broadcasts first indication information, the first indication information is used to instruct the wireless access network device not to send second indication information when the clock status information changes, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the clock status information of the wireless access network device changes.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a system information block SIB broadcast by the radio access network device.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, and a memory and a communication interface respectively coupled to the processor. The communication interface is used to communicate with other devices. The processor is used to run instructions or programs in the memory, and execute the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect through the communication interface.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, and a memory and a communication interface respectively coupled to the processor. The communication interface is used to communicate with other devices. The processor is used to run instructions or programs in the memory, and execute the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect through the communication interface.

[0035] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, and a memory and a communication interface respectively coupled to the processor. The communication interface is used to communicate with other devices. The processor is used to run instructions or programs in the memory, and execute the method of the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect through the communication interface.

[0036] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, and a memory and a communication interface respectively coupled to the processor. The communication interface is used to communicate with other devices. The processor is used to run instructions or programs in the memory, and execute the method of the fourth aspect and any possible implementation of the fourth aspect through the communication interface.

[0037] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device described in the sixth aspect, the communication device described in the eighth aspect, and the communication device described in the ninth aspect, or includes the communication device described in the seventh aspect and the communication device described in the ninth aspect.

[0038] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store instructions, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the chip implements the method described in the first aspect and any one of its implementations, or implements the method described in the second aspect and any one of its implementations, or implements the method described in the third aspect and any one of its implementations, or implements the method described in the fourth aspect and any one of its implementations.

[0039] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method as described in the first aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the second aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the third aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the fourth aspect and any one of its implementations.

[0040] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method as described in the first aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the second aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the third aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the fourth aspect and any one of its implementations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2 A flowchart of a clock status notification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 3 A flowchart of another clock status notification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 4 A flowchart of another clock status notification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 5 A flowchart of another clock status notification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 6 A flowchart of another clock status notification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 7 A flowchart of another clock status notification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 8 A flowchart of another clock status notification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] For fields such as communications and industrial control, most tasks are completed based on clock synchronization, so accurate clock synchronization is a basic requirement. For terminal devices, the base station can provide them with 5G clock synchronization services, or they can receive clock synchronization services in a variety of ways, or they can select a clock synchronization method that can currently meet the terminal device's clock quality requirements from a variety of clock synchronization methods.

[0052] If the base station currently provides clock synchronization services for the terminal device, then the clock synchronization status information of the base station determines whether it can provide accurate clock synchronization services for the terminal device, thereby affecting whether the terminal device can complete services based on clock synchronization. Therefore, if the clock synchronization status information of the base station changes, it may affect the services of the terminal device. In a possible implementation, the clock synchronization status information of the base station may include one or more parameters as shown in Table 1.

[0053] Table 1

[0054]

[0055] In order to ensure the accurate clock synchronization of terminal devices, one technical solution is to notify the terminal device if the clock synchronization status information of the base station changes, the clock parameters change from meeting the preset conditions to not meeting the preset conditions (such as the clock accuracy decreases from meeting the preset conditions to not meeting the preset conditions), or the clock parameters change from not meeting the preset conditions to meeting the preset conditions (such as the time accuracy recovers from not meeting the preset conditions to meeting the preset conditions).

[0056] When the clock synchronization status information may include multiple parameters, the change in the clock synchronization status information of the base station may refer to a change in at least one of the multiple parameters. Specifically, the change from satisfying the preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition may refer to at least one of the multiple parameters changing from satisfying the preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition; and / or, the change from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition may refer to at least one of the multiple parameters changing from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition. In one embodiment of the present invention, the change from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition may refer to that when at least one parameter changes from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition, each parameter satisfies the preset condition, or when at least one parameter changes from not satisfying the preset condition to the parameter satisfying the preset condition, or each parameter changes from not satisfying the preset condition to each parameter satisfying the preset condition.

[0057] For a UE in an RRC connected state, the base station may notify the UE by unicast (e.g., sending RRC signaling). In this case, when the clock synchronization state information of the base station changes, or the changed clock synchronization state information does not meet the UE's clock quality requirements, or the changed clock synchronization state information is restored to meet the UE's clock quality requirements, the base station will notify the UE by unicast. The base station may notify the UE of the base station's clock synchronization state information, or an indication of whether the base station's clock synchronization state information can meet the UE's clock state information requirements.

[0058] For a UE in an RRC inactive state and / or a UE in an RRC idle state, the base station can notify the UE by broadcasting, such as adding a report ID in a system information block (SIB) to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the base station has changed (including a clock parameter changing from satisfying a preset condition to not satisfying a preset condition or a clock parameter changing from not satisfying a preset condition to satisfying a preset condition). In this case, the information notified by the base station can be at the base station granularity or at the cell granularity. Taking the base station granularity as an example, the above preset condition is a preset condition for the base station, and the preset condition of the base station may be a clock synchronization status condition configured by the operator. When the clock synchronization status information of the base station changes, and the changed clock synchronization status information does not satisfy the preset condition of the base station, or the changed clock synchronization status information satisfies the preset condition of the base station again, the base station can notify the UE by broadcasting. Taking the cell granularity as an example, the base station can notify the UE of a list of cells that do not satisfy the preset condition or a list of cells that satisfy the preset condition; wherein the preset condition can be set for the base station or for the cell.

[0059] However, not all base stations support broadcasting to notify UE when the clock synchronization state information changes. For UEs in RRC inactive state and / or RRC idle state, when the UE does not receive the broadcast, the UE cannot determine whether the clock synchronization state information of the base station has not changed or the base station does not support the above notification method.

[0060] An embodiment of the present application provides a clock status notification method, which is used to solve the problem that when a terminal device does not receive a notification that the clock synchronization status information of a wireless access network device has changed, it is impossible to determine whether the clock synchronization status information of a wireless access network device has not changed, or the wireless access network device does not have the ability to broadcast indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes.

[0061] Figure 1 An exemplary schematic diagram of a wireless communication system architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application is provided. Figure 1The 5G communication system shown may include a data network (DN) and an operator network. The operator network may include one or more of the following units or devices: unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), application function (AF), policy control function (PCF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), radio access network (RAN) equipment, timing network function (TNF) network element, etc. In the above-mentioned operator network, network elements or devices other than radio access network equipment may be referred to as core network network elements or core network equipment.

[0062] The radio access network (RAN) device is used to implement functions related to wireless access. The radio access network can also be called an access network device or a base station, which is used to access the terminal to the wireless network. The radio access network can be a base station, an evolved base station (evolved nodeB, eNodeB) in an LTE system or an evolved LTE system (LTE-advanced, LTE-A), a next generation base station (next generation NodeB, gNB) in a 5G communication system, a transmission reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), a base band unit (base band unit, BBU), a WiFi access point (access point, AP), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The radio access network can also be a module or unit that completes some functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (central unit, CU) or a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific equipment form adopted by the radio access network. In the following embodiments, the radio access network is referred to as an access network device for example. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of the present application will be illustrated by RAN.

[0063] Terminal equipment is a device with wireless transceiver function. The terminal equipment is connected to the wireless access network equipment by wireless means, so as to access the communication system. The terminal equipment can also be called terminal, UE, mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal equipment can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a whole vehicle, a wireless communication module in a whole vehicle, a telematics box (T-box), a roadside unit (RSU), a terminal device in unmanned driving, a terminal device in the Internet of Things (IoT) network, a terminal device in remote medical, a terminal device in smart grid, a terminal device in transportation safety, a terminal device in smart city, or a terminal device in smart home, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of the present application will be illustrated by UE.

[0064] The mobility management network element is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, which is responsible for the access control and mobility management of terminal devices accessing the operator network, such as mobile state management, allocation of user temporary identity, authentication and authorization of users, etc. In 5G, the mobility management network element can be AMF. In future communication systems, the mobility management network element can still be AMF, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, AMF will be used as an example in the following embodiments of this application.

[0065] The session management network element is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, which is responsible for managing the protocol data unit (PDU) session of the terminal device. The PDU session is a channel for transmitting PDUs, and the terminal device needs to transmit PDUs to each other with the DN through the PDU session. The SMF network element is responsible for establishing, maintaining and deleting the PDU session. The session management network element includes session management (such as session establishment, modification and release, including tunnel maintenance between user plane network elements and access network devices), selection and control of user plane network elements, service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming and other session-related functions. In 5G, the session management network element can be SMF. In future communication systems, the session management network element can still be SMF, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, SMF will be used as an example in the following embodiments of this application.

[0066] The user plane network element is a gateway provided by the operator, and is the gateway for the operator network to communicate with the DN. The user plane network element includes functions related to the user plane, such as data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing, uplink packet detection, and downlink data packet storage. In 5G, the user plane network element can be UPF. In future communication systems, the user plane network element can still be UPF, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0067] The policy control network element is a control plane function provided by the operator, which is used to provide the PDU session policy to the session management network element. The policy may include charging-related policies, QoS-related policies, and authorization-related policies. In 5G, the policy control network element may be a PCF. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0068] The application function network element is used to convey the requirements of the application side to the network side, such as clock service requirements, quality of service (QoS) requirements, billing policy requirements, routing policy requirements, user status event subscription, etc. The application function network element can be a third-party functional entity or an application server deployed by an operator. In 5G, the application function network element can be an AF. In future communication systems, the application function network element can still be an AF or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of this application will take AF as an example.

[0069] Network open function element ( Figure 1The communication system can disclose functions and events to other systems through the network open function network element, which not only provides openness but also ensures the security of the system. In 5G, the network open function network element can be NEF. In future communication systems, the network open function network element can still be NEF or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, NEF will be used as an example in the following embodiments of this application.

[0070] For the application function entity of the third-party application, when it interacts with the core network, it can be authorized through NEF. For example, AF sends a request message to NEF, and NEF determines whether the AF is allowed to send the request message. If the verification is successful, it will forward the request message to the corresponding PCF or UDM.

[0071] It should be understood that Figure 1 This is only an example of an applicable network architecture. The actual network architecture may include Figure 1 More or fewer network elements. For example, the architecture may also include a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, a network repository function (NRF) network element, a time sensitive communication and time synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element, and the like.

[0072] Figure 2 A flowchart of a clock status notification method is provided for an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0073] Step 201: A first RAN broadcasts first indication information.

[0074] The first indication information is used to instruct the first RAN to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. The second indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the second RAN changes.

[0075] The first RAN may periodically broadcast the first indication information. For example, the first RAN may add the first indication information to the periodically broadcast SIB9, so that the UE may determine, based on the received SIB9, that the first RAN supports sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes.

[0076] Correspondingly, after the first RAN broadcasts the first indication information, the UE within the coverage of the first RAN can receive the first indication information.

[0077] When there is no data transmission demand, or according to the scheduling of the first RAN, or other reasons, the UE can be converted from the RRC connected state to the RRC inactive state or RRC idle state, thereby saving the power consumption of the UE. For example, for a UE in an IOT network, a precise clock synchronization service may be required, but it is not necessary to communicate with the communication system all the time. Therefore, the UE can enter the RRC inactive state or RRC idle state when it does not need to communicate with the communication system, thereby reducing the power consumption of the UE.

[0078] A UE in an RRC connected state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC idle state may receive the first indication information. For a UE in an RRC inactive state and / or an RRC idle state, since the UE is not in an RRC connected state, the first RAN cannot notify the UE in a unicast manner when the clock synchronization state information changes. Therefore, it is particularly important for the UE to obtain whether the first RAN has the ability to notify the UE in a broadcast manner when the clock synchronization state information changes, which is particularly important for whether the UE can obtain accurate clock synchronization service.

[0079] Step 202: When the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN changes, second indication information is broadcast.

[0080] For example, when the clock synchronization state information changes and the changed clock synchronization state information does not meet the preset condition or the changed clock synchronization state information meets the preset condition again, the first RAN may broadcast the second indication information to notify the UE that the clock synchronization state information has changed.

[0081] The above-mentioned second indication information may be based on the granularity of RAN. Optionally, the preset condition may be determined based on the clock information of the first RAN, or may be determined based on the preset condition of the clock synchronization status information of the access network device configured by the operator, or may be determined based on the clock synchronization status information that the operator can provide to the terminal device. Among them, the preset conditions of different RANs may be the same or different. For example, RAN1 serves UE1, UE2, and UE3, UE1 requires 100μs for clock accuracy, UE2 requires 200μs for clock accuracy, and UE3 requires 300μs for clock accuracy; the preset condition of RAN1 may be set to include a clock accuracy of less than or equal to 100μs, and when the clock synchronization status information of RAN1 meets the preset condition, the requirements of UE1, UE2, and UE3 for clock accuracy can all be met. When the clock accuracy of RAN1 changes from less than or equal to 100 μs to greater than 100 μs, that is, when the clock synchronization state information of RAN1 does not meet the preset conditions, the second indication information can be broadcast; when the clock accuracy of RAN1 changes from greater than 100 μs to less than or equal to 100 μs, that is, when the clock synchronization state information of RAN1 meets the preset conditions again, RAN1 can also broadcast the second indication information.

[0082] The above-mentioned second indication information may also be based on the granularity of the cell. Optionally, the preset condition may be set for the first RAN or for the cell. For example, RAN1 includes cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, and the preset condition of RAN1 includes that the clock accuracy is less than or equal to 100μs; when the clock accuracy of cell 1 becomes greater than 100μs, and the clock accuracy of cell 2 and cell 3 is less than 100μs, RAN1 may carry the identifier of cell 1 in the second indication information to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of cell 1 changes from satisfying the preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition. For another example, RAN1 includes cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, wherein the preset conditions of cell 1 include that the clock accuracy is less than or equal to 100 μs, and the preset conditions of cell 2 and cell 3 include that the clock accuracy is less than or equal to 200 μs; when the clock accuracy of cell 1 is less than 100 μs, the clock accuracy of cell 2 is less than 200 μs, and the clock accuracy of cell 3 becomes greater than 200 μs, RAN1 can carry the identifier of cell 3 in the second indication information to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of cell 3 changes from satisfying the preset conditions to not satisfying the preset conditions.

[0083] Accordingly, the second indication information may be used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information does not meet the preset condition or that the clock synchronization state information meets the preset condition again, or the second indication information may also be used to indicate the changed clock parameter, and may further include the changed clock parameter value. For example, when the clock accuracy of RAN1 changes from 100 μs to 150 μs, the second indication information may simply indicate that the clock synchronization state information has changed, or may also indicate that the clock accuracy has changed, or may also specifically indicate that the current clock accuracy is 150 μs.

[0084] In a possible implementation, the second indication information may include clock synchronization state information change event information. For example, the clock synchronization state change event information may indicate whether the clock synchronization state of the first RAN changes from satisfying the preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, or recovers from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition. For example, when the clock synchronization state change event information is "0", it may indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN changes to not satisfying the preset condition; when the clock synchronization state change event information is "1", it may indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN changes to satisfy the preset condition again. For another example, the clock synchronization state change event information may also indicate the changed clock parameter. For example, when the clock synchronization state change event information is "00", it may indicate that the clock precision parameter changes to not satisfy the preset condition; when the clock synchronization state change event information is "01", it may indicate that the clock precision parameter changes to satisfy the preset condition again; when the clock synchronization state change event information is "10", it may indicate that the clock frequency stability parameter changes to not satisfy the preset condition; when the clock synchronization state change event information is "11", it may indicate that the clock frequency stability parameter changes to satisfy the preset condition again.

[0085] In a possible design, the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN may be configured with a level division in advance. For example, when the clock accuracy of RAN1 is less than or equal to 100μs, the clock synchronization state information level of RAN1 is level 1; when the clock accuracy of RAN1 is greater than 100μs and less than or equal to 200μs, the clock synchronization state information level of RAN1 is level 2; when the clock accuracy of RAN1 is greater than 200μs and less than or equal to 300μs, the clock synchronization state information level of RAN1 is level 3. Then the above-mentioned clock synchronization state change event information can also be used to indicate the current clock synchronization state information level; accordingly, the preset condition of RAN1 can be: the clock synchronization state information level is greater than or equal to level X. In this case, the second indication information can indicate that the level of the clock synchronization state information has changed, or can indicate that the level of the clock synchronization state information has increased or decreased, or can also indicate the current level of the clock synchronization state information.

[0086] Optionally, the second indication information may be carried in the SIB and broadcast to the UE. For example, the second indication information may be a report ID, which may be carried in SIB9 and broadcast. Since SIB9 is broadcast with a cell as the granularity, when the second indication information is with a RAN as the granularity, the SIB9 broadcast by each cell of the RAN may include the second indication information; when the second indication information is with a cell as the granularity, the SIB9 broadcast by each cell of the RAN may include a list of cells that do not meet the preset conditions or a list of cells that meet the preset conditions; when the second indication information is with a cell as the granularity, the second indication information may also be broadcast only in the cell where the clock synchronization status information has changed, while the second indication information is not broadcast in the cell where the change has not occurred.

[0087] Step 203: The UE determines, according to the second indication information, that the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN changes.

[0088] After receiving the broadcasted second indication information, the UE in the RRC inactive state and / or the RRC idle state can determine, according to the second indication information, that the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN has changed. Optionally, further, when the second indication information includes clock synchronization state information change event information, the UE can also determine the specific event of the change of the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN, and determine whether the clock synchronization state information changes from satisfying a preset condition to not satisfying a preset condition, or recovers from not satisfying a preset condition to satisfying a preset condition.

[0089] exist Figure 2 In the method flow shown, the first RAN may broadcast the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. In another possible implementation, the first RAN broadcasts the third indication information when the clock synchronization state information does not change, or when the clock synchronization state information changes but the changed clock synchronization state information still satisfies the preset condition, or when the clock synchronization state information changes but the changed clock synchronization state information still does not satisfy the preset condition. The UE may determine that the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN has not changed significantly according to the third indication information. For example, RAN1 may carry a report ID in each broadcast SIB9, and when the value of the report ID is "0" (i.e., the second indication information), it indicates that the clock synchronization state information of RAN1 changes from satisfying the preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, or from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition; when the value of the report ID is "1" (i.e., the third indication information), it indicates that the clock synchronization state information of RAN1 has not changed, or still satisfies the preset condition after the change, or still does not satisfy the preset condition after the change.

[0090] In a possible implementation, after the UE determines that the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN is sent differently, the UE may establish an RRC connection with the first RAN, thereby obtaining the clock quality information provided by the first RAN through the established RRC connection, thereby determining whether the clock synchronization state information of the first RAN can meet the UE's requirement for clock quality. Optionally, the clock quality information may include the current clock parameters of the first RAN, and the UE determines whether the UE's requirement for clock quality is met according to the current clock parameters; at this time, the clock quality information is based on the RAN granularity, and the clock quality information may include one or more parameters in Table 1. Alternatively, after the UE establishes an RRC connection with the first RAN, the first RAN may determine whether the current clock parameters can meet the UE's requirement for clock quality according to the UE's requirement for clock quality. If not, the UE is notified that the UE's requirement for clock quality is not met at present, and the indication information sent by the RAN may be the indication information of not meeting, and if meeting, the UE is notified that the UE's requirement for clock quality is met at present, and the indication information sent by the RAN may be the indication information of meeting, that is, the clock quality information may indicate whether the current clock parameters of the first RAN can meet the UE's requirement for clock quality; at this time, the clock quality information is based on the UE granularity. Alternatively, after the UE establishes an RRC connection with the first RAN, the first RAN may send the clock parameter information that does not meet the UE's clock quality requirements to the UE according to the UE's requirements for clock quality, so that the UE can determine the specific parameters of the first RAN that currently do not meet the clock quality requirements, that is, the clock quality information includes the clock parameter information that does not meet the UE's clock quality requirements, and at this time, the clock quality information is also based on the UE granularity. Alternatively, when the second indication information is a cell granularity, after the UE can establish an RRC connection with the first RAN, the list of cells that do not meet the UE's clock quality requirements can be notified to the UE; or the clock quality parameters of the cell serving the UE can be sent to the UE, and further, the clock quality parameters of other cells can also be sent to the UE, so that the UE can select a cell to switch to.

[0091] As mentioned above, the preset condition of the first RAN may be based on the RAN granularity, so when the clock synchronization state information of the RAN changes from satisfying the preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, it may not necessarily fail to meet the UE's requirement for clock quality. For example, the preset condition of RAN1 includes that the clock accuracy is less than or equal to 100μs, the requirement of UE1 for clock accuracy is 100μs, and the requirement of UE2 for clock accuracy is 200μs; when the clock synchronization state information of RAN1 does not meet the preset condition, that is, when the clock accuracy of RAN1 is greater than 100μs, the requirement of UE1 for clock accuracy cannot be met, but it may not fail to meet the requirement of UE2 for clock accuracy. After UE1 and UE2 establish an RRC connection with RAN1, RAN1 may notify UE1 that the requirement of UE1 for clock quality cannot be met, and notify UE2 that the requirement of UE2 for clock quality can be met; or RAN1 may send the current clock accuracy to UE1 and UE2, UE1 determines that the requirement for clock quality cannot be met according to the current clock accuracy of RAN1, and UE2 determines that the requirement for clock quality can be met according to the current clock accuracy of RAN1. For UE1, since the current clock accuracy of RAN1 cannot meet the requirement of UE1 for clock accuracy, UE1 may select other clock sources to provide clock synchronization service, or UE1 may also switch to other cells or other RANs.

[0092] The first RAN in the above embodiment supports broadcasting the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, but there may be a RAN that does not support broadcasting the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes.

[0093] For the second RAN that does not support broadcasting the second indication information, a possible implementation is to broadcast the fourth indication information to instruct the second RAN not to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. The second RAN that does not support it may also periodically broadcast the fourth indication information, such as carrying it in SIB9 for broadcasting. For example, in a possible implementation, a bit may be set in the broadcast message, and when the value of the bit is "0", it indicates that the RAN supports sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and when the value of the bit is "1", it indicates that the RAN does not support sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes; RAN1 supports sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, then the value of the bit in the broadcast message of RAN1 is "0", and RAN2 does not support sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, then the value of the bit in the broadcast message of RAN2 is "1".

[0094] When the UE receives the fourth indication information, the UE may choose to maintain the RRC connection state instead of entering the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state; or the UE may periodically establish an RRC connection with the second RAN to obtain clock quality information provided by the second RAN, and determine whether the clock synchronization state information of the second RAN meets the UE's clock quality requirements; or the UE may also choose to use other clock sources to provide clock synchronization services; or the UE may also switch to other cells or other RANs.

[0095] For the second RAN that does not support broadcasting the second indication information, another possible implementation is that, similar to the prior art, the fourth indication information is not broadcasted. Then, when the UE has neither received the first indication information nor the fourth indication information, it can choose to enter or maintain the RRC connection state without entering the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state; or the UE can also periodically establish an RRC connection with the second RAN to obtain the clock quality information provided by the second RAN and determine whether the clock synchronization state information of the second RAN meets the UE's clock quality requirements; or the UE can also choose to use other clock sources to provide clock synchronization services; or the UE can also switch to other cells or other RANs.

[0096] In order to more clearly understand the above method embodiment, Figure 3 , Figure 4 Give an example.

[0097] Figure 3 The clock status notification method flow shown is a specific embodiment provided by the present application. In this embodiment, UE1 and UE2 are currently in RRC inactive state or RRC idle state. Assuming that the last RAN accessed by UE1 is RAN1 and the last RAN accessed by UE2 is RAN2, UE1 can receive broadcast messages from RAN1 and UE2 can receive broadcast messages from RAN2. In a specific implementation, there may be only one UE and one RAN, such as UE1 and RAN1, or more UEs and more RANs may be included. Figure 3 As shown, this specific embodiment may include the following steps:

[0098] Step 301: AF sends a clock synchronization service request to NEF.

[0099] Alternatively, the AF may also send a clock synchronization status information subscription request to the NEF.

[0100] The above-mentioned clock synchronization service request or clock synchronization status information subscription request may include the UE identifier (such as the identifier of UE1, UE2) and the clock synchronization status information requirement, indicating that the clock synchronization service that meets the clock synchronization status information requirement is provided to the UE corresponding to the identifier. The clock synchronization status information requirement may include clock quality acceptance criteria and / or clock quality detail level, etc. If the clock quality detail level is a clock quality indicator, the clock quality acceptance requirement may not be included in the clock synchronization service request sent by the AF. If the clock quality detail level is an acceptable / unacceptable indication, the clock quality acceptance criteria may be included in the clock synchronization service request sent by the AF. The clock quality acceptance criteria may indicate the UE's acceptable requirements for the clock synchronization status information. When the clock synchronization status information does not meet the requirement, the AF and / or the UE needs to be notified. The clock quality detail level may be expressed as a form in which the UE provides corresponding clock quality information. For example, the clock quality detail level may be a clock quality indicator, which may include specific base station clock status parameters. For example, the clock quality detail level may be an acceptable / unacceptable indication, which may specifically include an indication of whether the indication information is met, indicating whether the clock quality acceptance criteria required by the AF for the UE are met.

[0101] Step 302: NEF authenticates the clock synchronization service request.

[0102] NEF authenticates the clock synchronization service request, which may include authenticating AF and authenticating whether the UE in the request can be provided with clock synchronization service. If the authentication is successful, step 303 is continued; if the authentication is not successful, the process ends.

[0103] Similarly, if the request sent by the AF in step 301 is a clock synchronization status information subscription request, the NEF authenticates the clock synchronization status information subscription request.

[0104] Step 303: NEF sends a clock synchronization service request to a time sensitive communication and time synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element.

[0105] Step 304: TSCTSF initiates creation or update of access and mobility policy authorization (AM Policy Authorization).

[0106] When creating or updating AM Policy Authorization, the UE policy can be created or updated according to the clock synchronization status information requirements in the clock synchronization service request. Since the clock synchronization status information subscription request sent by the AF includes the identifiers of UE1 and UE2, the NEF needs to initiate the creation or update of AM Policy Authorization for UE1, as well as the creation and update of AM Policy Authorization for UE2.

[0107] Step 305: TSCTSF returns a clock synchronization service response to NEF.

[0108] Step 306: NEF returns a clock synchronization service response to AF.

[0109] Step 307: AMF sends the clock synchronization status information request to RAN1 and RAN2.

[0110] Since TSCTSF initiated the creation or update of AM Policy Authorization for UE1 and UE2, AMF determined that the last RAN accessed by UE1 was RAN1, and the last RAN accessed by UE2 was RAN2, so the clock synchronization status information request was sent to RAN1 and RAN2.

[0111] The AMF may send the clock synchronization status information requirement to RAN1 and RAN2 through an N2 message, so that RAN1 and RAN2 provide a clock synchronization service that meets the clock synchronization status information requirement for UE1 and UE2.

[0112] Step 308a: RAN1 broadcasts first indication information.

[0113] RAN1 supports sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. RAN1 can carry the first indication information in SIB9 and broadcast it to the UE periodically, so that the UE determines that RAN1 will send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes.

[0114] Step 308b: RAN2 broadcasts fourth indication information.

[0115] RAN2 does not support sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes. RAN1 can carry the fourth indication information in SIB9 and broadcast it periodically to the UE, so that the UE that obtains the clock synchronization service through RAN2 periodically establishes an RRC connection with RAN2 when entering the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state to obtain the clock quality information provided by RAN2.

[0116] The above step 308b is an optional step, and RAN2 may not broadcast the fourth indication information. Then, when the UE does not receive the fourth indication information sent by RAN2, it can determine that RAN2 does not support sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes.

[0117] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the sequence of the above step 308a and step 308b.

[0118] Step 309a: When the clock synchronization status information of RAN1 is degraded, RAN1 broadcasts second indication information.

[0119] Optionally, the clock synchronization state information level may be pre-set for RAN1, for example, when the clock accuracy of RAN1 is less than or equal to 100 μs, the clock synchronization state information level of RAN1 is level 1; when the clock accuracy of RAN1 is greater than 100 μs and less than or equal to 200 μs, the clock synchronization state information level of RAN1 is level 2; when the clock accuracy of RAN1 is greater than 200 μs and less than or equal to 300 μs, the clock synchronization state information level of RAN1 is level 3. The preset condition configured for RAN1 is that the clock synchronization state information level reaches level 1. Then, when RAN1 decreases from the clock synchronization state information level 1 to level 2 or level 3, RAN1 broadcasts the second indication information.

[0120] Optionally, when the clock synchronization state information includes multiple parameters, the degradation of the clock synchronization state information may refer to degradation of at least one parameter, that is, when any parameter is degraded, RAN1 broadcasts the second indication information.

[0121] RAN1 may carry the second indication information in SIB9 and broadcast it to the UE.

[0122] Step 309b: UE1 establishes an RRC connection with RAN1.

[0123] UE1 is a UE in an RRC inactive state or an RRC idle state, and RAN1 provides it with a clock synchronization service. After UE1 receives the second indication information broadcast by RAN1, UE1 determines to establish an RRC connection with RAN1 to obtain clock quality information, so as to further determine whether RAN1 can currently provide UE1 with a clock synchronization service that meets the clock synchronization status information requirements.

[0124] Step 309c: RAN1 sends the current clock synchronization status information level of RAN1 to UE1.

[0125] After receiving the current clock synchronization status information level of RAN1, UE1 can determine whether the clock synchronization status information of RAN1 can meet the clock synchronization status information requirement of UE1. If not, UE1 can select other clock sources to provide clock synchronization services, or UE1 can also switch to other cells or other RANs.

[0126] Step 310: UE2 maintains an RRC connection with RAN2 or periodically establishes an RRC connection with RAN2.

[0127] RAN2 provides clock synchronization service for UE2. Since RAN2 does not support sending the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, UE2 can maintain RRC connection with RAN2 and not enter RRC inactive state or RRC idle state, so as to continuously obtain clock quality information; or UE2 can periodically establish RRC connection with RAN2, so as to periodically obtain clock quality information. This avoids the problem that RAN2 clock state is degraded when UE2 is in RRC inactive state or RRC idle state, and UE2 cannot perceive the RAN2 clock degradation.

[0128] It should be understood that the above steps 309a to 309c and step 310 are independent processes, and there is no problem of sequence. There is no situation where executing steps 309a to 309c necessarily requires executing step 310, and there is no situation where executing step 310 necessarily requires executing steps 309a to 309c.

[0129] Figure 4 The clock synchronization method flow shown is another specific embodiment provided by the present application. Figure 4 As shown, this specific embodiment may include the following steps:

[0130] Step 401: UE1 initiates an initial access procedure.

[0131] Step 402: AMF obtains the AM subscription information (access and mobility subscription data) of UE1 from UDM.

[0132] The AM subscription information may include access layer clock synchronization authorization to indicate that UE1 needs RAN to provide it with a clock synchronization service.

[0133] The AM subscription information may also include the requirement of the UE1 for the clock synchronization state information. The information included in the clock synchronization state information requirement is similar to the clock synchronization state information requirement in the above embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.

[0134] The AM subscription information may also include the allowed Uu interface clock synchronization error (Uu time sync errorbudget), the clock synchronization service start time and / or end time, the coverage range (used to indicate that the clock synchronization service needs to be provided to UE1 when it is within the coverage range, and the clock synchronization service will be stopped if the range is removed).

[0135] Step 403: AMF sends an access layer clock synchronization service indication to RAN1.

[0136] The clock synchronization service indication is used to indicate that the RAN provides access layer clock synchronization service for UE1. Further, if the above AM subscription information contains one or more of the following information: UE1's requirement for clock synchronization status information, Uu interface clock synchronization error, clock synchronization service start time and / or end time, coverage, etc., the AMF sends the above information to the RAN.

[0137] Step 404a and step 404b are similar to the above-mentioned step 308a and step 308b, and are not described again here.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the wireless access network device that supports notifying the terminal device when the clock synchronization status information changes can broadcast the first indication information to indicate that it supports broadcasting the second indication information (such as report ID) when the clock synchronization status information changes; this enables the UE to determine whether the wireless access network device will notify when the clock synchronization status information changes based on the first indication information, especially for the terminal device in the RRC inactive state and / or the terminal device in the RRC idle state, it can determine that the current clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device has not changed based on the received first indication information when the second indication information is not received, rather than the wireless access network device does not have the ability to broadcast the indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and there is no need to enter the RRC connected state to obtain the clock synchronization status information or obtain the clock synchronization status information by other means.

[0139] Figure 5 An exemplary flow chart of a method for AMF to notify UE of RAN clock information is provided. Figure 5 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0140] Step 501: UE initiates initial access.

[0141] The UE initiates the attach procedure for initial access.

[0142] Step 502: AMF sends the first indication information or the fourth indication information to the UE.

[0143] The first indication information has the same meaning as the first indication information in the aforementioned embodiment, and is used to instruct the RAN that the UE last accessed to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes; the fourth indication information also has the same meaning as the fourth indication information in the aforementioned embodiment, and is used to instruct the RAN not to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes.

[0144] In a possible design, the AMF may pre-acquire the clock capability information of the RAN connected thereto, so as to determine whether each RAN has the capability to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. When the UE performs initial access, the AMF may determine, based on the capability information acquired in advance, whether the RAN to which the UE accesses has the capability to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and if so, generate the first indication information and send it to the UE; if not, generate the fourth indication information and carry it in the NAS information and send it to the UE.

[0145] In another possible design, the AMF may also obtain the clock capability information of the corresponding RAN after the UE initiates initial access, and generate the first indication information or the fourth indication information according to the clock capability information of the RAN, and then send it to the UE.

[0146] Optionally, the first indication information or the fourth indication information may be carried in non-access stratum (NAS) information and sent to the UE. For example, the AMF may carry one-bit indication information in the NAS message, and when the value of the bit is "0" (i.e., the first indication information), it indicates that the RAN has the ability to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and when the value of the bit is "1" (i.e., the fourth indication information), it indicates that the RAN does not have the ability to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes.

[0147] Optionally, the AMF may perform the above step 502 when obtaining the UE's request to subscribe to the clock synchronization service. The AMF may obtain the UE's subscription information from the UDM. If the UE's subscription information includes the UE's request information to subscribe to the clock synchronization service, the AMF sends the UE whether the RAN has the ability to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes through the first indication information or the fourth indication information.

[0148] The UE can determine, based on the received first indication information or fourth indication information, whether the RAN will broadcast the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, thereby facilitating the UE to select a suitable clock source, or choose not to enter the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state, or choose to periodically establish an RRC connection after entering the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state to obtain clock quality information.

[0149] Figure 6 An exemplary flow chart of a method for AMF to notify UE of the current clock synchronization status information of RAN is provided. Figure 6 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0150] Step 601: AMF obtains the clock synchronization status information of RAN.

[0151] Optionally, the AMF may periodically obtain the clock synchronization status information of the RAN, so as to timely obtain the current clock synchronization status information of the RAN; alternatively, the AMF may also subscribe to the clock synchronization status information from the RAN, so that the RAN periodically reports the clock synchronization status information to the AMF; alternatively, the AMF may also subscribe to the clock synchronization status information from the RAN, so that the RAN reports the clock synchronization status information to the AMF when the clock synchronization status information changes, or reports the change in the clock synchronization status information.

[0152] Step 602: The AMF sends fifth indication information to the UE, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the RAN has changed.

[0153] The AMF may determine whether the clock synchronization status information of the RAN has changed according to the acquired clock synchronization status information of the RAN, and send fifth indication information to the UE when the change occurs.

[0154] In a possible implementation, the specific content indicated by the fifth indication information can be found in Figure 2 The specific content indicated by the second indication information in the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here. At this time, the fifth indication information is based on the RAN granularity.

[0155] In another possible implementation, the fifth indication information may be based on the UE granularity, that is, indicating that the clock synchronization state information of the RAN changes to not meet the UE's requirement for clock quality, or indicating that the clock synchronization state information of the RAN changes to meet the UE's requirement for clock quality again. In this case, the fifth indication information may be similar to the clock quality information provided by the RAN in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0156] Optionally, for a UE in an RRC inactive state or an RRC idle state, the process of AMF sending the fifth indication information to the UE may include: AMF initiating paging to the UE, and the UE establishing an RRC connection with the RAN after receiving the paging, and then the AMF sending the fifth indication information to the UE through the RAN.

[0157] Step 603: The UE determines, according to the fifth indication information, that the clock synchronization state information of the RAN has changed.

[0158] Optionally, after the UE determines that the clock synchronization status information sent by the RAN has changed, the UE may establish an RRC connection with the RAN, thereby obtaining clock quality information provided by the RAN through the established RRC connection, thereby determining whether the clock synchronization status information of the RAN can meet the UE's clock quality requirements.

[0159] In another possible implementation manner, after obtaining the clock synchronization status information of the RAN, the AMF determines that the clock synchronization status information of the RAN has changed, and the fifth indication information may not be sent, that is, the AMF does not perform the above step 602, and the UE does not need to perform step 603. Instead, the AMF pages the UE to establish an RRC connection between the UE and the RAN, so that the UE obtains the clock quality information provided by the RAN.

[0160] Figure 7 An exemplary flow chart of a method for AMF to assist UE in obtaining clock synchronization status information is provided. Figure 7 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0161] Step 701: UE initiates initial access.

[0162] The UE initiates the attach procedure for initial access.

[0163] Step 702a: The AMF sends sixth indication information to the UE, where the sixth indication information is used to instruct the UE to establish an RRC connection with the RAN when receiving the fourth indication information.

[0164] Among them, the fourth indication information has the same meaning as the fourth indication information in the aforementioned embodiment, and is used to instruct the RAN not to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes. The second indication information also has the same meaning as the second indication information in the aforementioned embodiment, and is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the RAN changes.

[0165] The AMF can instruct the UE through the sixth indication information to establish an RRC connection with the RAN when it is determined that the RAN does not have the ability to generate the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, or to periodically establish an RRC connection with the RAN after entering the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state, so that the clock quality information provided by the RAN can be obtained in a timely manner through the RRC connection.

[0166] Step 702b, the AMF sends seventh indication information to the UE, where the seventh indication information is used to instruct the UE to establish an RRC connection with the RAN when the first indication information, the fourth indication information and / or the second indication information sent by the RAN is not received.

[0167] If the UE receives neither the first indication information nor the fourth indication information, the UE cannot determine whether the currently accessed RAN or the last accessed RAN has the ability to generate the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes; in this case, if the UE does not receive the second indication information, the UE establishes an RRC connection with the RAN according to the seventh indication information sent by the AMF, thereby obtaining the clock quality information provided by the RAN through the RRC connection.

[0168] Optionally, the seventh indication information may instruct the UE to periodically establish an RRC connection with the RAN, so as to periodically obtain the clock quality information provided by the RAN, and avoid the situation where the clock synchronization status information of the RAN changes, but the UE is unaware of it for a long time. Alternatively, the seventh indication information may also instruct the UE to maintain the RRC connection state and not enter the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state, so as to obtain the clock synchronization status information of the RAN in a timely manner. Alternatively, the seventh indication information may also instruct the UE to establish an RRC connection with the RAN when the UE does not receive the first indication information, the fourth indication information, and the second indication information within a preset time period, so as to obtain the clock quality information provided by the RAN. Alternatively, the seventh indication information may instruct the UE to establish an RRC connection with the RAN when the UE receives the information broadcast by the RAN for the first time but does not receive the first indication information, the fourth indication information, and the second indication information, so as to obtain the clock quality information provided by the RAN.

[0169] AMF may choose to execute one of step 702a and step 702b above, or may execute both. When AMF executes both step 702a and step 702b, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the order of step 702a and step 702b.

[0170] In order to understand the above embodiment more clearly, Figure 8 Give an example.

[0171] Figure 8 The clock status notification method flow shown is a specific embodiment provided by the present application. Figure 8 As shown, this specific embodiment may include the following steps:

[0172] Steps 801 to 807 are similar to the aforementioned steps 301 to 307, and will not be described again. Alternatively, the aforementioned steps 401 to 401 may be used to replace steps 801 to 807.

[0173] In the following steps 808 (including steps 808a to 808c), step 809, and step 810, the AMF may choose to execute one of them.

[0174] Step 808a: AMF sends reconnection indication information to the UE.

[0175] The reconnection indication information (ie, the seventh indication information) is used to instruct the UE to enter the RRC connected state when it is uncertain whether the RAN has the ability to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes and when the UE has not received the second indication information broadcast by the RAN.

[0176] Step 808b: UE initiates an RRC connection.

[0177] Step 808c: AMF or RAN sends the clock quality information of RAN to the UE.

[0178] When the AMF sends the clock quality information of the RAN to the UE, before step 808c, the AMF may obtain the clock synchronization status information of the RAN. The AMF may periodically obtain the clock synchronization status information of the RAN, the AMF may request the RAN to periodically report the clock synchronization status information, the AMF may request the RAN to report when the clock synchronization status information changes, or the RAN may actively report the clock synchronization status information. After obtaining the clock synchronization status information of the RAN, the AMF sends the current clock quality information to the UE, and the clock quality information may be based on the RAN granularity or the UE granularity.

[0179] Step 809: AMF sends the RAN's clock synchronization status capability information to the UE.

[0180] The clock synchronization state capability information of the RAN is used to indicate whether the RAN has the capability to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes. That is, the AMF sends the first indication information or the fourth indication information to the UE according to the capability of the RAN.

[0181] Step 810: When the clock synchronization state of the RAN changes, the AMF pages the UE.

[0182] Before step 810, the AMF may obtain the clock synchronization status information of the RAN, and when determining that the clock synchronization status of the RAN has changed, page the UE within the registration area of ​​the UE, or page the UE within the RAN or cell where the current clock status has changed.

[0183] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device includes a processing module 901 and a transceiver module 902. The processing module 901 is used to implement data processing by the communication device. The transceiver module 902 is used to receive content between the communication device and other units or network elements, or to send content between the communication device and other units or network elements. It should be understood that the processing module 901 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit), and the transceiver module 902 can be implemented by a receiver / transmitter or a receiver / transmitter-related circuit component.

[0184] Exemplarily, the communication device may be a communication device, or may be a chip used in the communication device, or other combined devices, components, etc. having the functions of the above communication device.

[0185] When the communication device is a terminal device, the processing module 901 receives the first indication information broadcast by the first wireless access network device through the receiving module 902, the first indication information is used to instruct the first wireless access network device to send second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device changes; the processing module 901 is used to determine that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device changes when the transceiver module 902 receives the second indication information.

[0186] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 2 to 4 The beneficial effects of other processes executed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0187] When the communication device is a terminal device, the processing module 901 receives the first indication information sent by the mobility and access management network element through the receiving module 902, the first indication information is used for the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with the wireless access network device when receiving the second indication information, and obtain the clock quality information provided by the second wireless access network device through the RRC connection, the second indication information is used to indicate that the wireless access network device does not send the third indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the information of the wireless access network device, and the information of the wireless access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the wireless access network sends the second indication information, whether the wireless access network sends the third indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes.

[0188] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 5 to 8 The beneficial effects of other processes executed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0189] When the communication device is a RAN, the processing module 901 broadcasts first indication information through the receiving module 902, where the first indication information is used to instruct the communication device to send second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the clock state information of the communication device changes; when the clock synchronization state information of the communication device changes, the processing module 901 broadcasts the second indication information through the receiving module 902.

[0190] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 2 to 8 The other processes and beneficial effects performed by the RAN in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be described in detail here.

[0191] When the communication device is an AMF, the processing module 901 sends a first indication message to the terminal device through the receiving module 902; the first indication message is used to instruct the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with the wireless access network device when receiving the second indication message, and the second indication message is used to instruct the wireless access network device not to send a third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the third indication message is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes; or, the first indication message is used to indicate information of the wireless access network device, and the information of the wireless access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the wireless access network sends the second indication message, whether the wireless access network sends the third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes.

[0192] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The other processes and beneficial effects performed by the AMF in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0193] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application, the communication device includes: a processor 1001, a communication interface 1002, and a memory 1003. The processor 1001, the communication interface 1002, and the memory 1003 can be interconnected via a bus 1004; the bus 1004 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The above-mentioned bus 1004 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. For ease of representation, Fig.10Only one line is used to represent it, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The processor 1001 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP) or a combination of a CPU and a NP. The processor can further include a hardware chip. The above-mentioned hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof. The memory 1003 can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache.

[0194] Exemplarily, the communication device may be Figures 2 to 8 The terminal device in Figures 2 to 8 RAN in the Figures 3 to 8 AMF in.

[0195] The processor 1001 is used to implement data processing operations of the communication device, and the communication interface 1002 is used to implement receiving operations and sending operations of the communication device.

[0196] When the communication device is a terminal device, the processor 1001 receives first indication information broadcast by a first wireless access network device through the communication interface 1002, wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the first wireless access network device to send second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device changes; the processor 1001 is used to determine that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device changes when the communication interface 1002 receives the second indication information.

[0197] In addition, the above components can also be used to support Figures 2 to 4 The beneficial effects of other processes executed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0198] When the communication device is a terminal device, the processor 1001 receives first indication information sent by a mobility and accessibility management network element through the communication interface 1002, the first indication information being used by the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with a wireless access network device when receiving the second indication information, and obtain clock quality information provided by the second wireless access network device through the RRC connection, the second indication information being used to instruct the wireless access network device not to send third indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the third indication information being used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes; or, the first indication information is used to indicate information of the wireless access network device, and the information of the wireless access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the wireless access network sends the second indication information, whether the wireless access network sends the third indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes.

[0199] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 5 to 8 The beneficial effects of other processes executed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0200] When the communication device is a RAN, the processor 1001 broadcasts first indication information through the communication interface 1002, where the first indication information is used to instruct the communication device to send second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the clock state information of the communication device changes; when the clock synchronization state information of the communication device changes, the processor 1001 broadcasts the second indication information through the communication interface 1002.

[0201] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 2 to 8The other processes and beneficial effects performed by the RAN in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be described in detail here.

[0202] When the communication device is an AMF, the processor 1001 sends a first indication message to the terminal device through the communication interface 1002; the first indication message is used to instruct the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with the wireless access network device when receiving the second indication message, and the second indication message is used to instruct the wireless access network device not to send the third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the third indication message is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes; or, the first indication message is used to indicate the information of the wireless access network device, and the information of the wireless access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the wireless access network sends the second indication message, whether the wireless access network sends the third indication message when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes.

[0203] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The other processes and beneficial effects performed by the AMF in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0204] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When the computer-readable instructions are executed on a computer, the method described in any possible implementation method described above is executed.

[0205] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions, which enables the above method embodiment to be executed when the computer program product is run on a computer.

[0206] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip, including: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store instructions, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the chip implements the method steps executed by any of the above nodes.

[0207] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the above-mentioned terminal device, wireless access network equipment and a mobility and accessibility management network element.

[0208] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, "and / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The multiple involved in the present application refers to two or more.

[0209] In addition, it should be understood that, in the description of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying order. References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of the present application include specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment. Therefore, the statements "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0210] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware, or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and can write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0211] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instruction is loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is executed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device or other programmable device. The computer program or instruction may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer program or instruction may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape; it may also be an optical medium, for example, a digital video disc; it may also be a semiconductor medium, for example, a solid-state hard disk. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0212] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or provided in a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to each other, and the technical features in the different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0213] It is understood that the various numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A clock status notification method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a terminal device in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and / or a first terminal device in an RRC idle state, and the method includes: The first terminal device receives first indication information broadcast by a first wireless access network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first wireless access network device to send second indication information when clock synchronization state information changes, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the first wireless access network device changes; When the first terminal device receives the second indication information, the first terminal device determines that the clock synchronization status information of the first radio access network device changes.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second terminal device receives third indication information broadcast by the second wireless access network device, where the third indication information is used to instruct the second wireless access network device not to send the second indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that After the second terminal device receives the third indication information broadcast by the second radio access network device, the method further includes: The second terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the second radio access network device; The second terminal device obtains the clock quality information provided by the second radio access network device through the RRC connection.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the first terminal device determines that the clock synchronization state information of the first radio access network device changes, the method further includes: The first terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the first radio access network device; The first terminal device obtains clock quality information provided by the first wireless access network device through the RRC connection.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The clock quality information includes: A clock quality parameter, or a fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information provided by the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the first terminal device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The second indication information is specifically used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device changes from satisfying a preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, or that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first terminal device receives the fifth indication information broadcast by the wireless access network device, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the first wireless access network device has not changed.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device remains unchanged, including: When the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not change; Or, when the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device changes but the changed clock synchronization state information still meets the preset condition; Alternatively, when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes and the clock synchronization status information after the change still does not meet the preset condition, third indication information is broadcast, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device has no obvious change.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The first indication information is carried in a system information block SIB broadcast by the radio access network device; or The first indication information is carried in non-access stratum NAS information from a mobility and accessibility management network element.

10. A clock status notification method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a terminal device in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and / or a terminal device in an RRC idle state, and the method includes: The terminal device receives first indication information sent by the mobility and accessibility management network element; The first indication information is used for the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with the radio access network device when receiving the second indication information, and obtain the clock quality information provided by the second radio access network device through the RRC connection, the second indication information is used to instruct the radio access network device not to send the third indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device changes; Alternatively, the first indication information is used to indicate information of the wireless access network device, and the information of the wireless access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the wireless access network sends the second indication information, whether the wireless access network sends the third indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device receives the fourth indication information sent by the mobility and accessibility management network element, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate the current clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the terminal device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The current clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device specifically indicates that: the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not satisfy a preset condition after a change, or the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device satisfies a preset condition after a change.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The clock quality information includes: A clock quality parameter, or a fifth indication information, wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information provided by the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the terminal device.

14. A clock status notification method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The wireless access network device broadcasts first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct the wireless access network device to send second indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the clock state information of the wireless access network device changes; When the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device changes, the second indication information is broadcasted.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The second indication information is specifically used to indicate that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes from satisfying a preset condition to not satisfying the preset condition, or that the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes from not satisfying the preset condition to satisfying the preset condition.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: The wireless access network device broadcasts third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate that clock synchronization state information of the wireless access network device has not changed.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device remains unchanged, including: When the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device does not change; Or, when the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device changes but the changed clock synchronization state information still meets the preset condition; Alternatively, when the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes, the changed clock synchronization status information still does not meet the preset condition.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that: The first indication information is carried in a system information block SIB broadcast by the radio access network device.

19. A clock status notification method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The mobility and accessibility management network element sends first indication information to the terminal device; The first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to establish an RRC connection with the radio access network device when receiving the second indication information, the second indication information is used to instruct the radio access network device not to send the third indication information when the clock synchronization state information changes, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device changes; Alternatively, the first indication information is used to indicate information of the wireless access network device, and the information of the wireless access network device includes one or more of the following information: whether the wireless access network sends the second indication information, whether the wireless access network sends the third indication information when the clock synchronization status information changes, and the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that Before the mobility and accessibility management network element sends the first indication information to the terminal device, the method further includes: The mobility and accessibility management network element receives a clock synchronization service requirement subscribed by a terminal device.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: The mobility and accessibility management network element receives the information of the radio access network device.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The mobility and accessibility management network element receives a clock synchronization service requirement of a terminal device, including: The mobility and accessibility management network element receives a clock synchronization service requirement of a terminal device from a unified data management network element or from an application function network element.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device changes, the AMF sends a fourth indication information to the terminal device, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the clock synchronization status information of the wireless access network device meets the clock quality reception standard of the terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device is specifically used to indicate that the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device does not meet a preset condition after the change, or that the clock synchronization state information of the radio access network device meets a preset condition after the change.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store programs or instructions, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

27. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

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